Daily Faceoff’s 2023-24 Stanley Cup Final picks

Two teams remain. No matter what happens in the 2023-24 Stanley Cup Final, it will feel historic.

In spring of 1993, the Montreal Canadiens hoisted the Stanley Cup and, little did we know then, no Canadian team would do the same for the next three decades. The 1994 Vancouver Canucks, 2004 Calgary Flames, 2006 Edmonton Oilers, 2007 Ottawa Senators, 2011 Vancouver Canucks and 2021 Montreal Canadiens reached the Final but none could close the deal.

Now, the modern Oilers, led by transcendent superstar Connor McDavid and playoff heroes Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard and Zach Hyman, will attempt to end the drought as the Western Conference’s representative.

In the autumn of 1993, the Florida Panthers debuted in the NHL. By 1996, they were Cup Finalists, but they wouldn’t come close again…until last season, when they were ousted by the Vegas Golden Knights. Now, reaching the Final in consecutive years, the Panthers are hungry to finish the job and lift the Cup for the first time in franchise history.

Which team will prevail?

Below, you’ll see our picks for Round 2.

The panel of prognosticators:

Colby Cohen, co-host of Morning Cuppa Hockey
Steven Ellis, DFO associate editor & prospect analyst
Jason Gregor, co-host of the DFO Rundown podcast
Matt Larkin, DFO managing editor & senior writer
Jonny Lazarus, DFO writer & co-host of Morning Cuppa Hockey
Brock Seguin, DFO managing fantasy editor
Frank Seravalli, DFO president of hockey content
Tyler Yaremchuk, host & senior producer of The Nation Network

The picks:

The Panthers have arguably been the best all-round team in the NHL this season, wire to wire. They allowed the fewest goals in the league in the regular season. They had a top-10 power play and penalty kill. This postseason, they’ve been dominant offensively and defensively and excellent in special teams. They are virtually flawless – and they are the most physical team in the NHL.

And yet…the panel’s momentum skews toward Edmonton. Their Round 3 opponent, the Dallas Stars, supposedly had it all, too, and the star-studded Oilers, backed by a sensational penalty kill, disposed of Dallas in just six games. Has the time finally arrived for generational hockey icon McDavid to have his moment? It should be an incredibly exciting series.

Who ya got?

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